Tips on Keeping Your Dental New Year’s Resolutions

New Year’s Resolutions are a wonderful tradition that inspire everyone to become better in the new year. While losing weight, spending more time with friends and family, and quitting smoking top the list every year, most people skip over a resolution that can improve your health, and self esteem. This is, of course, resolving to maintain impeccable dental health. We may be a little bias as your Melbourne, Florida dentist, but keeping your teeth healthy is something you can practice every day for a more healthy new year. Here are a few tips on how to keep those dental resolutions all year round.

Resolution: Brush My Teeth For TWO MINUTES Twice Each Day

Most people do brush their teeth twice each day, that’s not a problem. For fresh breath and to remove the “fuzz” every morning, grabbing for a toothbrush is almost an automatic response, as is before bedtime. However, most people do not perform this necessary task for the time it takes to entirely remove decay and disease-causing bacteria. In 2017 make a resolution to brush your teeth for the full two minutes every morning and every night.

Tip: To make sure you are brushing for the full two minutes, employ some technology! On the easy end of the spectrum, scroll your social media while you scrub your pearly whites. You may end up brushing for longer than two minutes. If you want to make sure you don’t skip a single second, our pro tip involves buying a new oscillating toothbrush. Most electric toothbrushes manufactured these days are outfitted with lights and buzzers that let you know when your two minutes are up. It’s fun and easy to keep on task when you’re waiting for your flashing light.

Resolution: Floss Like I Mean It

2016 has been a rough year for flossing. With many major news outlets claiming that flossing isn’t worth your time, it can be difficult to feel like this practice is necessary to keep your teeth and gums healthy. But, when you see blood in your sink after brushing it’s obvious that flossing plays a major role in preventing the onset of gum disease. This year, resolve to foss, really floss your teeth each and every day. By removing the bacteria that resides under your gums you can help your immune system fight off more important infections. This can also save your teeth in the long run!

Tip: First, make an appointment with your Melbourne, Florida dentist and tell us about your amazing resolution. We will re-educate you on how to properly floss your teeth. After that take a trip to the drug store and buy a few different types of floss. The goal is to find one that you like the best, and experimenting can be quite fun. Are you a cinnamon lover? Do you prefer waxed or unwaxed? Finding a floss to call your favorite can encourage you to keep flossing like a pro every day of 2017 and beyond.

Resolution: Eat For My Teeth

We all know that what we eat is important for our overall health. What many people don’t know is that you can improve your oral health from the inside out by eating specific foods. This year when you make your resolution to eat better, keep your teeth in mind. Many of the same foods you eat to stay healthy can also improve your oral health. Foods rich in vitamin C can provide the collagen necessary to build teeth and bones, and foods rich in vitamin D can help get much needed calcium to those teeth to rebuild. Reducing your sugar intake can also cause major improvements on your oral health by denying bacteria the food they crave to wreak havoc on your oral tissues.

Tip: Choose to eat healthy, whole foods full of vitamins and minerals. Avoid processed foods full of easy sugars. Chew sugar-free gum after eating so that you can use your saliva to wash away excess sugars and bacteria, this can prevent the development of decay and dental disease.

The New Year is a chance for you to kickstart your oral health. If you need help, don’t hesitate to schedule one of your twice yearly appointments soon! Dr. Brazdo would love to hear your new year’s dental resolutions and help prepare you for success in any way she can.